Wireless Gaming Makes Strides in Nevada

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Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn signed a bill earlier this week that allows for wireless gaming in casinos. The bill, lobbied for by Cantor G&W, means that in the near future, gamblers might be able to play slots, poker and other games while lounging poolside or in other to-be-determined public areas.

"We're very excited that the legislature passed the bill in such a resounding fashion," said Joe Asher, managing director at Cantor G&W (Nevada) LP. "We've been working with the Nevada gaming commission and the Nevada gaming control board for over a year on this, and we're thankful that we've gotten to where we are now."

The bill says wireless gaming can take place only in casinos with nonrestricted gaming licenses, meaning they have 100 slot machines and one other game on the premises. It also says wireless gaming will be subject to the same taxes and fees currently applied to slot machines.

Though the bill has been signed, no one can say for sure when wireless gaming will start to appear in casinos. The legislation has put the Nevada Gaming Commission at the helm of the rolloutwhich can't happen until the commission decides specifically where the games might be played and determines whether the Wi-Fi gaming units are secure and not able to fall into the hands of underage gamers.

"Essentially, they're going to have towith their tech peoplefind comfort that the mobile gaming system has technology that makes it secure, whether it be with biometrics or GPS [Global Positioning System] so they know where [the mobile units are] at," said Marc Warren, senior research specialist at the Nevada Gaming Commission.

The board also will decide which manufacturers will make devices for wireless gaming. Diamond I Inc., a developer of wireless game products, backed the bill and most likely will be submitting its Wi-Fi Casino GS for the commission's approval. Diamond I representatives were not available for comment.

But the company, which provides wireless Internet access in several states, said in a statement that it "seeks to secure a Las Vegas hotel/casino to serve as the demonstration site for its Wi-Fi Casino GS, in conjunction with its application for a gaming license in Nevada." Diamond I said it's looking to do the same with cruise ships, horse-racing and dog-racing facilities.

The Casino GS has been designed to work with plug-in modules that will bring a certain level of customization to the devices. The company says the device's real-time, location-based features and interactivity will be useful. For example, a customer who is sitting by the pool gambling could also use the wireless PDA to order a drink, which would automatically be charged to a hotel bill.

Canter G&W, an affiliate of the financial services company Canter Fitzgerald in New York, might also lobby to have its proprietary wagering technology thrown into the mobile-gaming mix.

Asher said the company approached the Nevada legislature last year about the possibility of using some of the company's technology, developed to be used at Nevada casinos. Cantor discovered that in order for that to happen, the legislation allowing wireless gaming would have to be passed.

Asher declined to give details on the nature of the company's technology but said it maintains a very secure environmentan opinion based on the success of the partnership between Cantor affiliate eSpeed and Nextel that allows users to access full bond data and instant trading capabilities wirelessly.

"Security is obviously a very big issue and an issue that we're familiar with, given the nature of our businesseSpeed trades over 40 trillion dollars a year," Asher said. "We're very cognizant of the importance of security, and we're going to have to prove to the gaming control board that our tech is secure, and to casinos as well, before implementation."